As we scan through Israel‘s tumultuous history, we see that the fifth month of Av has been particularly tragic and painful for this nation. We think not only of the destruction of the first and second temples, which happened in this month, but we cannot exclude the other events such as Jewish expulsion from England in 1290, from France in 1306, from Spain in 1492, events which took place in the first half of Av.
Bringing us to more recent years we think of 1941 when Göring signed a official and crucial document, in this very month of Av, authorizing Himmler to prepare the final solution for the wiping out of the Jewish “problem”.
Can the month of Av in any way be redeemed? Does God’s word and His faithfulness give us hope that even this month can be the very springboard for a new start? Can the unbearable misfortunes of the Jewish people, riveted in the curses passages of Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28 be turned, from mourning into joy? Can the present day’s antisemitism and its incredibly swift rise ever be reversed? Will there ever be peace for the Jew and the world?
The rabbis give hope through their understanding of God’s patience and forgiveness. The Jews are not therefore left in a state of despair. Beginning right after Tisha B’Av, that is, the 9th day of Av, on the first Shabbat following, they begin reciting a seven week series of consolation passages from the Haftorah, emphasizing Israel’s future healing and restoration. This begins with the reading of Isaiah 40:1 where we read, “Comfort, comfort my people.”
But a quick look into Zechariah 8:19 reveals several fasts that the Jewish people enjoined themselves to, each one related to a tragedy in their history. For example, the fourth month fast relates to when Jerusalem was taken by Nebuchadnezzar while the fifth month fast speaks of when the temple was burnt down. The seventh month was related to when Gedaliah was killed. But see God’s plan of redemption and restoration. These feasts will one day be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace. Yes, fasting will cease and joy will return.
Our responsibility in this day and at this time is to validate that yes, the times of Israel will become even more difficult as Jacob‘s trouble approaches, but that God has the final say, and Israel will be restored, her dry bones will not only live, but the spirit will move her Into a new direction of priesthood, and she will be a leader amongst the nations of the world. No longer will she be the victim of antisemitism, which is rooted from the beginnings found in Genesis chapter 3, but she will be the head and not the tail but will be the true praisers (Yehudit) of God. She will be responsible to raise up the voices of praise in Jerusalem providing a 1000 year peace, with Messiah Yeshua sitting at the helm and on His throne in Jerusalem.
*This year (2025), Tisha B’Av falls on the evening of August 2nd to August 3rd